Forearm fracture traction applicator



Patented Feb. 5, 1 952 UNITED- STATES PATENT "OFFICE FOREARM FRACTURETRACTION APPLICATOR Y Robert K. Hart, Croswell, Mich.

Application October 27, 1949, Serial No. 123,957

This invention relates to surgical implements particularly of the typeadapted for setting bones in forearms, and in particular rubber tubesproviding suction cups for positioning over a thumb and fingers of ahand to provide gripping means for applying traction to the forearm, anda bracket or stand having a shoe for positioning against the forearmwith across bar for holding the ends of the rubber tubes opposite to theends rolled over the fingers and thumbsof the hand.

The purpose of this invention is to provide means for creating tractionin forearms wherein muscle resistance is overcome and fractures arereduced and also in which the correct position of the forearm ismaintained to facilitate the application of splints or casts thereto.

The usual finger traps cause trauma to the tissues and it is, therefore,desirable to provide means for gripping the fingers wherein less traumato the tissues is provided and skeletal traction is dispensed with. Withthis thought in mind this invention contemplates rubber tubes withweights in the ends thereof wherein with the ends of the tubes oppositeto the ends in which the weights are positioned placed over the thumband fingers of a hand the tubes may be readily and quickly tied to astationary device which, with an arm positioned against the forearmprovides traction on the forearm to facilitate treating fractures andthe like.

The object of this invention is, therefore, to provide an improvedmethod of gripping the fingers of a hand which causes less trauma to thetissues and dispenses with skeletal traction.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device for placingtraction in a forearm which enables a doctor to set the arm while undertraction and without the aid of an office assistant or the like.

A further object of the invention is to provide an instrument forapplying traction to a forearm fracture which is of a simple andeconomical construction.

With these and other objects and advantages in view the inventionembodies a plurality of thin rubber tubes with weights in one of theends thereof and a stand having a cross bar thereon and also having anextended arm with a shoe at the end, the said shoe being positioned tocontact the upper arm of a patient with the tubes positioned on thefingers of the hand of the arm of the patient.

Other features and advantages of the invention will appear from thefollowing description taken in connection with the drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view illustrating the application oftheinstrument to the forearm of a patient.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the instrument illustrated in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a detail illustrating one of the thin rubber tubes with partof the tube broken away showing a weight mounted therein.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters denotecorresponding parts the forearm traction instrument of this inventionincludes a plurality of rubber tubes In having weights H therein and astand l2 having a cross bar I 3 thereon and also having an extended armIt with a shoe 15 on the outer end.

The tubes H! are provided with rolled ends as indicated by the numerall6, and the weights II are fixedly mounted in the opposite ends byspring rings I! which hold the wall of the tubing in annular grooves l8in the outer surfaces of the weights. It will be understood that theWeights may be secured in the tubes by any other means.

With the weights provided in the ends of the tubes opposite to the endsplaced over the fingers, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 the ends ofthe tubes with the weights therein may readily be wrapped over orsecured to the cross bar [3 and also readily removed therefrom. With theweights placed in the ends of the tubes, the tubes may be placed overthe cross bar l3 with the ends in which the weights are positionedhanging downwardly whereby the weights provide means for holding theextended ends of the tubes over the cross bar. The weights may also beused as illustrated in Figure 1 with the ends in which the weights arepositioned wrapped over the cross bar and extended over the tubes or theends with the weights therein may be tied over the bars as shown inFigure 2.

The cross bar [3 is adjustably mounted by a fitting l 9 on the bracket[2 and the fitting is provided with a thumb nut 20 on a threaded stud 2|whereby the elevation of the cross bar may be The lower end of the stand[2 may be provided with a rubber plug or cap 21 to facilitate holdingthe stand in position and to prevent marring or scratching a surfaceupon which the stand is positioned.

With the parts arranged in this manner the thin rubber tubes are placedover the fingers and thumb of a. hand as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2and with tensionplaced on the tubes and extended endsthereof secured tothe bar l3 by tying as shown traction is provided in the forearm of anarm against which the shoe l5 of the bracket or stand is positioned.

The rubber tubes or cups may readily be removed from the fingers byrolling the ends thereof and the opposite ends may readily be removedfrom the cross bar 13.

With the arm supported in this manner traction is created in the forearmand a bone may be set. and splints or casts applied with the armmaintained in the natural position.

It will be understood that modifications may be made in the design andarrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit of theinvention as defined in the claims.

.What is claimed is:

1. A forearm traction applicator comprising a thin rubber tube whichcauses suction when placed over a finger whereby the tube is secured tothe finger, and a weight in the opposite end of the tube forfacilitating holding the extended end of the tube to provide tensiontherein.

2. A forearm traction applicator comprising a plurality of thin rubbertubes which when placed over the fingers of a hand cause suctionsecuring the tubes to the fingers, a stand having a cross bar thereon towhich the outer ends of the tubes are removably attached, and a shoeextended from said stand and positioned to engage the upper arm of aforearm on the fingers of which the tubes are positioned.

3. A forearm traction applicator comprising a plurality of thin rubbertubes which when placed over the fingers of a hand cause suctionsecuring the tubes to the fingers, a stand. having a cross bar thereonto which the outer ends of the tubes are removably attached, and a shoeextended from said stand and positioned to engage the upper arm of aforearm on the fingers of which the tubes are positioned, said tubeshaving weights in the extended ends thereof, for retainingthe ends ofthe tubes over the cross bar.

ROBERT K. HART.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS OTHER REFERENCES Journal of the American, MedicalAssociationfor December 20, 1924, page 1985.

